Zak Brown on GP Rumors: Lambiase Not Set to Replace Stella as McLaren Team Principal

McLaren’s Zak Brown dismissed speculation that Chief Racing Officer Gianpiero “GP” Lambiase will replace Andrea Stella as team principal, emphasizing stability and confirming Lambiase will stay in his current role, while a Red Bull Racing exec joins 2028.

Why it matters:

• The team principal directs car development, race strategy and driver management – all vital for McLaren’s push back to the podium.
• Leadership continuity helps retain technical talent and keeps the Mercedes power‑unit partnership stable in a tight midfield battle.

The details:

• Brown said GP will stay as Chief Racing Officer, handling race‑day operations while the team looks to grow talent internally.
• He noted Andrea Stella currently wears three hats – team principal, de‑facto CEO and technical director – a heavy workload.
• Brown called asking Stella to juggle all three roles a ‘tall order’, but said the current structure still works.
• The incoming Red Bull Racing Head of Racing, arriving by 2028, could reshape McLaren’s senior management hierarchy.

What's next:

• Lambiase will focus on race‑day performance, data analysis and driver support, while strategic decisions remain with Stella and the executive team.
• The board will review the leadership model after the 2028 transition, considering a dedicated CEO role to ensure continuity for sponsors and fans.